Chapter Seventy: The Blue Emblem, Acquired—Daze!!! (The novel is finally ripe for the taking...)

Watching the panting but utterly delighted Growlithe, Chen Ou curled his lips.

He knew Growlithe planned to lure the opponent into the water, knew it intended to strike the Poliwrath with its own method at the most heated moment, and knew that Growlithe’s cunning scheme was all for Charmeleon's revenge.

But Chen Ou truly hadn’t expected Growlithe to actually use the move Revenge.

To be honest, Chen Ou rarely employed that tactic himself. Whether it was Charmeleon or Entei, neither was easy to render incapable of battle. So since Growlithe had learned Revenge, it had hardly ever had the chance to use it.

This time, however… Growlithe executed it with remarkable ease, leveraging the double damage to completely knock Poliwrath out of commission.

Poliwrath’s eyes turned into spirals as it silently floated atop the pool. Misty quietly recalled it into its ball.

She couldn’t fault Poliwrath’s actions. After all, that Growlithe had seemed rather dim, who’d have thought it would turn out so ferocious?

It offered up its own weakness to the enemy, drew the opponent into attacking, then seized the opportunity for a fatal blow.

Such a Pokémon was ruthless to itself, and even more ruthless to its enemy.

Thus Misty was increasingly baffled at where Chen Ou had found these two Pokémon. Their talent and temperament were both exceptional. As far as she knew, Chen Ou hadn’t received help from Professor Oak or anyone else. He’d caught these two Pokémon himself…

This guy… truly is the definition of lucky.

Misty’s gaze toward Chen Ou was full of complexity. Chen Ou wasn’t the so-called grassroots trainer. His background was even more prominent than hers, the current head of a longstanding gym leader family.

Even Red and Green had received carefully selected starter Pokémon from Professor Oak—resources given by their elders.

But Chen Ou refused.

He didn’t let Professor Oak choose a starter for him. He opted to catch his own.

Of course, Chen Ou was a Pokémon Professor. Even without Oak, he could have used his status and influence to obtain a powerful starter. When a Pokémon Professor chooses a starter, the League opens all its breeding facilities for them to select as they please.

Yet Chen Ou didn’t use his privilege either.

He wandered the forest, caught his Pokémon, and grew stronger—just like a true grassroots trainer.

Misty had heard about Chen Ou setting fire to the Viridian mayor’s house, but even then he only made minimal use of his status.

This guy…

Misty looked at Chen Ou, her expression complicated. She had never truly regarded him seriously before. Yes, a Pokémon researcher was important, but the pride of trainers made them instinctively look down on someone like Chen Ou, who came from a researcher’s background.

But after today, Misty would never do so again.

Chen Ou was a trainer destined to soar.

Just like Red and Green—one of the top trainers.

On the other side, Chen Ou vigorously rubbed Growlithe’s head, giving it a mock angry look.

Growlithe shook its head, stuck out its tongue to lick Chen Ou’s hand, and wagged its tail with a broad grin.

Chen Ou rolled his eyes, shook his head, then looked up and called toward Sakura, “Miss Sakura! You may announce.”

Sakura, stunned by the dramatic reversal of the battle, finally snapped out of it, glanced anxiously at her own little sister’s complex expression, then raised her flag and declared, “Poliwrath is unable to battle. Misty, please send out your next Pokémon!”

Misty placed Poliwrath’s ball on her belt, then tossed out Gyarados’s Poké Ball.

She could lose, and she could afford to lose—but she couldn’t surrender. She wanted this defeat to remind herself: as a trainer, stagnation leads to downfall. Geniuses are born at any moment; if you’re not prepared, you’ll be trampled by new challengers rising above you…

Misty never wanted to be stepped on again.

“Gyarados, show him! The fury of the storm!”

With Misty’s shout, Gyarados ramped up its Rain Dance, and the drizzle quickly transformed into a torrential downpour. Chen Ou smiled silently.

Growlithe’s fur was soaked, but its eyes remained locked onto Gyarados, brimming with fighting spirit and ready for battle.

As soon as Gyarados finished its Rain Dance, it roared and unleashed a Hydro Pump at Growlithe.

“Flame Wheel, charge forward, get in the water.”

Chen Ou issued the order calmly. Yes, Charmeleon couldn’t enter the water and had to dodge atop the floating platforms, but Growlithe was different—it was a master at dog paddling. So Chen Ou boldly let Growlithe evade.

Growlithe’s execution was superb, and its mastery of Flame Wheel was near perfection. In less than a second, it gathered energy and dove swiftly into the water…

It even looked excited…

So, does this pup actually enjoy water? Chen Ou scratched his head, momentarily at a loss for words…

“Gyarados, Aqua Tail! Show him the water is our domain!”

Misty’s command rang out, and Gyarados quickly whipped an Aqua Tail toward Growlithe’s direction.

Growlithe didn’t even need Chen Ou’s instructions. It took a deep breath, dived underwater, easily dodged the attack, and continued advancing toward Gyarados.

Chen Ou merely shrugged; Growlithe’s instinctive reactions matched his commands, so more often than not, he could afford to be lazy when directing its battles.

Soon, Growlithe swam up beside Gyarados, climbed onto a nearby platform, and Gyarados grew furious. This opponent refused to face it head-on, even more annoying than that Charmeleon—at least Charmeleon was a brave warrior.

But this Growlithe was just a rascal!

Growlithe, unconcerned by Gyarados’s thoughts, leapt nimbly to dodge a Water Gun. Then it unleashed a Flamethrower—slightly smaller than Charmeleon’s but still formidable.

Gyarados had suffered from that move before…

It instinctively tried to dodge. Misty knew Gyarados couldn’t take another hit from Flamethrower.

“Gyarados, evade!”

Gyarados moved swiftly, diving underwater.

The flames faded quickly. Growlithe stood its ground, blazing with intense fire.

Misty sensed trouble.

“Gyarados, Outrage! Break his move!”

Gyarados burst from the water, activating Outrage midair—its scales bristling like blades, eyes crimson, ready to tear its foe apart.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Growlithe, ablaze like a hellhound, charged headlong into Gyarados.

And sent the already injured, exhausted Gyarados flying.

A splash echoed through the pool. Gyarados, incapacitated, fainted in the water.

Misty quietly recalled it, then fished a badge from her pocket and tossed it at Chen Ou’s face.

Chen Ou caught it easily and struck Ash's signature pose.

“Blue Badge! Get✫daze!!!”

Misty looked at this melodramatic guy, unable to help but palm her forehead.

“How did I lose to this guy…”

P.S. I still hope everyone will follow the book. The subscription numbers aren’t great, and that’s the real problem…